Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced that the provincial government plans to establish wastewater treatment plants in every city across Punjab as part of a comprehensive strategy to modernise water and sanitation infrastructure. Speaking during the Punjab Assembly's budget session, Aurangzeb praised the passage of the provincial budget and highlighted the government's ongoing development initiatives under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Replacement of Old Pipelines and Sewerage Upgrades
She said a province-wide project is underway to replace underground water supply and sewerage pipelines that have been in service for 70 to 75 years. The initiative covers 84 cities and includes upgrading sewerage systems, constructing underground water storage tanks, and installing recharge wells to improve groundwater replenishment.
Inauguration of Sargodha Cardiology Hospital
Aurangzeb also announced that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is expected to inaugurate the Sargodha Cardiology Hospital during the first week of July, adding that both the construction work and installation of medical equipment have been completed on schedule.
WASA Operations and Municipal Services
The senior minister said Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASA) are now operational in 41 districts, while more than 1,500 machines have been supplied to local government institutions to strengthen municipal services. She added that water mapping has been completed in Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, and adjoining areas, where clean drinking water projects worth Rs42 billion are currently under implementation.
Clean Drinking Water and Model Villages Programme
According to Aurangzeb, around 5,800 water filtration plants are providing clean drinking water to communities across Punjab. She further said the government's model villages programme, covering 2,400 villages, will provide residents with improved water supply, sewerage, sanitation, and other essential civic facilities without discrimination.
Criticism of Opposition
Criticising the opposition, Aurangzeb questioned its performance on wastewater management, saying it failed to establish a single wastewater treatment plant during its tenure. She reaffirmed the Punjab government's commitment to expanding wastewater treatment infrastructure throughout the province to improve environmental sustainability and public health.
